The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-07
A Chinese Imperial Outfit.

The choice of the bride for the youngi
Emperor of China has been made, and in !
due time the daughter of the Duke OF
Chao, the brother of the present En-
press, will be Empress of the Celestial
Empire. Although the wedding will
probably not take place before 1881
thousands of hands are already busy
with the lady's trousseau and wedding
presents, which have probably never
been equaled in wealth in any other-
Court. The following, for instance, are
the presents which the young Emperor
is presenting to his tiancce before their
marriage, after the actual engagements
present, which consists of a gold seal
richly inlaid with jewels, the handle
being formed by two gold dragons. Up
to month previous to the wedding the
lady is presented with 10 piebald horses;
with complete trappings; 10 guilt hel.
NETS and cuirasses, l0O pieces of satin Of
first quality, and 200 pieces of cotton
material
AS wedding presents the bride receives
200 ounces of gold; 10000 ounces taelsl
of silver; l gold tea service, consisting Of
teapot, and cup, with lid; silver tea
service; silver wash basins; 1000
pieces of satin of the best quality; 90
horses, with complete trappings;5 90
horses without trappings; 90 saddles for
packhorses and mules. The parents of
the lady also receive 100 ounces of gold;
1 gold tea-set; 5000 taels silver; / sill;
yer tea-set; 1 silver wash basin; 500
pieces of silk; 1000 pieces of cotton
material; horses; completely har- 4
messed; helmet and cuirass; bow and
a quivcr, with arrows; each parent /
court dress for summer and for winter, .
1 every day dress and sable coat. The
brothers and servants of the bride also
receive rich and costly presents.
The brides hats are the most remarka, q
bic articles amongst the rich trousseau.i
The winter court hat has rim of sable;1
tue crown is made of red velvet, from
the centre of which rises button conn.,
posed of three parts, each of which is:
ornamented with three small oblong. S
pearls of particular beauty and seventeen
ordinary pearls, while in the centre of s
each part another splendid pearl is set in
gold and surmounted by a gold ph9nix.I
The button is surrounded by seven gold
phenixes, of which each is inlaid with q
seven large and twenty -one small pearls
and cat's-eye. At the back of the hat,
below the button, gold pheasant il: :
placed with one cat's-eye and sixteen
pearls. The tail of the pheasant is d,
divided into five parts by 3O2 small and
five large pearls, forming pendant, the
centre Of which is made Of lapis lazuli
surrounded by pearls. At the end Of the
pendant a big coral is suspended. A.;
collar is fastened at the back to the hat,
the outside of which is of sable, the in-
side of bright yellow material, with yel-s
vet ribbons, embroidered at the end with
diamonds. The three gala court dresses
are of a; dark blue color, with borders Of
gold embroidery and large dragons em-
broidercd all over the drssses, while down
the front are sewn in gold thread the
words: "Wan-Fu' eternal happiness &
and "Wan- Shon eternal life). - 3
The necklaces and chains are of an 81
enormous value, and composed for the
most part of pearls, turquoises, corals
and diamonds. A handkerchief which
is worn in the belt is green, richly enn-
broidered, trimmed with tassels of jewels
and yellow ribbons. A gala apron of u
red and blue satin, trimmed with otter
skin and embroidered in gold, dragon =;
fans and skirts of many different kinds
are also part of this gorgeous outfit, and
the furniture for the future Empress is S
keeping every trade brisk throughout
China.